Characteristics of Bankers
Hi, I was considering trying to go into IB in the future but I just had a couple of questions about bankers before I decide? My main question was would a person who does not eat meat or drink alcohol be successful as a banker in NYC? I know the main thing people care about is how much money you bring in for the company and not your traits, but the reason I am asking this is because I know people will eat dinner with clients and hang out with fellow bankers and if you don't eat meat or drink a beer with those people, doesn't it look a little awkward and make you seem different? I am proud to be a vegetarian and not drink but I just don't know if those traits will hamper my success as an investment banker.
are you kidding? Realistically, think about what you're asking. While not enjoying a steak and a beer with your fellow analysts may hinder your efforts in becoming mr popular of whatever bank you were to join, it's your work that defines your success, especially in the first years. Keep your associate and VP happy and except for the occasional joke no one will care that you're a vegetarian and you don't drink. As for client dinners - not so many of those at the analyst level. More like order in at 1am while you're still in the office.
why the fk would your boss care? but your coworkers, yes they could possily laugh at you. Why the fuck don't you eat meat or drink beer? those are the best two things to eat and drink
I wouldn't trust you if you don't eat meat or drink. Enjoy life my friend.
You wouldn't trust someone who does not eat meat? Okay...
IMO vegetarianism shows that someone really cherishes their moral principles. Such morality would cross into other areas of their life, including being honest + trustworthy in their work.
I am not so sure about the beer part, though. If you are in a meeting with a client, I would consider making an exception to your strict no-drinking rule. Though you may view alcohol as being detrimental to your health, you should realize that an occasional drink here and there will not hurt you.
I automatically think that someone who doesn't eat meat can't get enough of the aforementioned in the bedroom. Moreoever, they're a pussy. I think that sentiment would be shared by many bankers. This is, of course, unless it's for religious reasons (ie, if you're Hindi). But if you're a hippy, get the fuck off Wall Street. Join PETA instead.
What the fuck are you talking about? If someone said that in person, I'd slap the taste out of their mouth.
What does being a vegetarian have to do with moral principals? People are vegetarian for a variety of reasons, what does morality have to do with it. Maybe he doesn't like the taste of meat? Maybe the concept of eating an animal grosses him out. I knew a grl who could only eat meat if it no longer resembled the original animal.... ie. she wouldn't be able to eat a whole rotisserie roasted chicken, thanksgiving turkey, whole cooked fish, lobster, crab, shrimp, etc.... But beef skewers , cold cuts, hot dogs, steaks, chicken salad was all fine. Maybe his parents were vegetarian hippies, so he just never acquired a taste for it. Maybe he believes hamburger is a distant cousin. What the fuck does that have to do with morals?
Second, people that are vegetarian are somehow more moral or more disciplined than non-vegetarians? What if they just dont feel the need to eat meat? It has nothing to do with being more disciplined or principled.
Thirdly, why should anyone give a flying fuck about your moral standards on Wall Street? So long as you're not sabotaging your team/group/bank or participating in insider trading? Both of which most people don't do for fear of losing their jobs/going to jail, not because of their moral standard.
You sir, are a fucking idiot.
To the OP, I don't think its an issue. You should be worried about less about he alcohol/meat aspect of banking and more about the fundamentals of banking like.... work-life balance, ability to have meticulous attention to detail on little to no sleep, do boring fucking work, get bitched for nothing and keep yourself under control, etc...
In banking, you eat what you kill, or at least watch the senior guys do it and throw you some leftovers ... Then one day you end up doing the same. No place for a vegetarian.
I wouldn't distrust someone who doesn't eat meat because they don't eat meat. I would distrust you because I can't relate to or understand you. Thus, I will assume you are trying to fuck me. Of course, you're obviously too much of a pussy to fuck me, but that won't factor in. Not eating meat is about the same as not speaking english - it makes you fucking useless to me.
It doesn't matter whether you start eating meat when you get on the street - your personality will still be that of a treehugging ecoterrorist.
Well I guess dude9123 got his question answered.
Dude honestly be yourself man don't conform. Although if you do want to emulate someone look no further than Forrest Gump.
glad to see this bunch of monkeys is always very open-minded
seriously monito. tools...
Just don't walk around declaring, "I am proud vegetarian!" or "I don't drink!"
Also there are certain sports out there (dipset would agree with me) that require a large protein intake. Is it possible to substitute meat with proteins from eggs, protein powders, etc.? Yes. Would it make sense? F*ck no!
Do you know what else cherishes moral principles? Religion...P.S.: as far as drinking. Come on man, at least have a bottle of Smirnoff Ice every now and then.
I would think less of you, if you made a big deal about being a vegetarian. There's no need to point out your preferences at the dinner table. Just order a salad and if you need to make an excuse, say you're on a diet or something.
just keep it to yourself....contrary to the stereotypes of banking, not everyone is some macho meat/beer/football fanatic....though a good bunch are....hopefully you will join a group that you are comfortable with (and can handle their jokes etc)
at the junior level, the quality of work matters the most anyway
Are you Muslim ? Some Hindus don't eat meat for religious reasons but they do drink, Muslims on the other hand usually don't drink and avoid meat that isn't Halal. Or are you some kind of hippie animal lover ? As far as people's impression of you, they'll think you're a wuss unless its for aforementioned religious reasons, then they'll just think you're a square.
Not sure what to do about the no-meat policy, but as for the alcohol, just say you're on medication or something like that. Anyone would see that as legitimate and would not think anything of it or give you shit about it.
a vegetarian on medication?? jesus
A lot of people make good points.
It's a conservative industry in the sense that they like to see what they are used to. A vegan who doesn't drink will be immediately put into that "not one of us" group. (If not consciously, then subconsciously)
Probably won't matter if you're thinking of getting your analyst years in and then shipping off to b-school.
Steve Jobs is everyone's favorite vegan, and he even got kicked (out of his own company!) when he hired too many meat-eaters.
If you're thinking of a long term career path, look companies who value people that "Think Different."
The issue is not that OP doesn't eat meat and doesn't drink. I've analyzed enough people to know that those behaviors usually come with a whole set of behaviors and beliefs that do not match the Wall Street mindset. So to the OP, seriously, you are right to have your doubts, you wouldn't have doubts if what I said was untrue and you know it. The chance of you being happy in the Wall Street milieu though not zero, is small. Good luck.
Sit fuga iusto molestias veritatis et. Quis accusantium quo et accusantium aut. Hic maiores dolorem quaerat recusandae a velit. Mollitia laborum corporis quia atque aspernatur. Asperiores laborum voluptas consequatur dolorem sint quod.
Qui inventore omnis odit eum quia. Quia pariatur ut laudantium cupiditate. Laboriosam accusantium voluptates et eveniet temporibus molestiae aut est.
Facere impedit enim sint optio non facere. Voluptas velit repellat beatae magnam. Similique modi et molestias sequi ipsam cum totam. Similique magnam et a dolorum repellat qui fugiat. Ipsum adipisci optio omnis. Dolorem et tenetur accusamus ducimus. Harum doloremque qui modi sed.
Quisquam reiciendis quae accusantium a qui ea quibusdam odit. Molestias ut mollitia dolorem ea. Et voluptatem voluptas amet et rerum.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Asperiores tenetur sed voluptas non facilis debitis voluptatum. Commodi qui expedita nisi sapiente ipsam reprehenderit repudiandae ea. Velit est suscipit aperiam totam. Quis dolorem quibusdam esse. Debitis omnis est quia et magni alias. Et et eius omnis natus sed pariatur. Minima inventore ea impedit natus consequatur illo.
Cum eaque porro aut laboriosam aliquid cum. Non voluptas rerum rerum aut illo quidem. Et fuga voluptas quis architecto. Pariatur id maiores quibusdam sit. Tempore sit aut aliquid nemo fugit numquam facilis amet.
Suscipit consequuntur itaque incidunt et. Eos repellat molestias eos quis libero at. Officia accusantium qui fugit et commodi maxime placeat. Alias modi et qui autem.
Nisi in impedit architecto vitae. Ipsam excepturi blanditiis expedita accusantium qui.